Health Information Technology

The health information technology (HIT) program is guided by the mission of the college.  Inherent in the Catholic identity of the college is the mission to provide opportunities to a diverse population of students to become registered health information technicians. The program fosters individual growth and prepares graduates to work as valued members of the health care team.

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits the program in cooperation with the Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).  The commission may be contacted at:

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
233 N. Michigan Avenue 21st Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60601-5800
312-233-1100

Employment of health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, due to the rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures which will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts, and consumers.

Graduates of the health information technology program are eligible for examination by AHIMA to earn the designation Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Curriculum

The associate in science degree program provides a broad academic background that prepares the student to play a critical role in maintaining, collecting and analyzing data that healthcare providers rely on to deliver quality patient-centered care. Along with professional courses in the theory and application of health information technology, courses in the sciences and humanities are included.  Learn more...

Clinical Affiliations and Career Opportunties in a number of hospitals in and around Boston, complement the theoretical work in classrooms and in the simulation laboratory. Quality improvement approaches and the use of information technology are important components of this program.

There are four academic paths in this division:  associate in science degree, professional certificate, coding certificate, web-based courses.

Curriculum Outcomes

The curriculum outcomes reflect the professional role of the graduate of the associate in science degree in health information technology. Learn more...

Advanced Placement

For students with prior experience in health information or health care, challenge examinations are offered in medical terminology and first-level health information technology courses. Interested students may contact the program chairperson to discuss individual testing that would lead to advanced placement.

Certificate Programs

Applicants holding an associate degree or higher from an accredited college may qualify for our professional certificate program in health information technology. Graduates are eligible to earn the designation of Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Learn more...

The college also offers a one-year certificate coding program for those students interested in technical skills of ICD-9-CM and CPT coding. Graduates of the coding certificate program are eligible for examination by AHIMA to earn the designation of Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Learn more...

Scholarships

All HIT students are eligible for the allied health scholarship program. For additional student financial assistance opportunities, refer to the financial aid office.

Additional Information

Contact Nancy Entwistle at 617-296-8300, ext. 4063 or by e-mail at Nancy_Entwistle@laboure.edu.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical records and health information technicians are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations. Learn more about this career at American Health Information Management Association.